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INTERPOL holds first training for match-fixing investigators

LAXENBURG, Austria – INTERPOL has held its first integrity in sport training course which focuses exclusively on law enforcement officers who investigate cases of match-fixing and illegal betting.

Organized by INTERPOL’s Integrity in Sport unit with the support of the Austrian Ministry of Interior and the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA), the two-day course (10-11 September) brought together 12 senior investigators and prosecutors from Austria, Germany and Slovenia to learn about the problem of match-fixing and how to effectively combat it from a law enforcement perspective.

The skills-based course focused on the key skills required to successfully investigate allegations of match-fixing that are transnational in nature. In particular, the role of organized criminal networks in match-fixing and illegal betting was examined.

The course used exercises based on practical scenarios to enhance operationally relevant skills and help the participants learn how to apply those skills in their daily law enforcement activities. Through the use of scenarios of match-fixing allegations with international connections, the training course allowed participants to gain a better understanding of how to deal with the transnational nature of the crime.

This specialist training for investigators is part of the INTERPOL-FIFA Training, Education and Prevention initiative to address the increasing global threat of match-fixing. INTERPOL and FIFA entered into the 10-year initiative in May 2011 to develop a global programme to better tackle corruption in football.

INTERPOL also coordinates law enforcement operations targeting illegal soccer gambling networks, primarily in Asia. The combined four Operation SOGA – short for soccer gambling – campaigns have resulted in more than 7,000 arrests, the closure of illegal gambling dens which handled more than USD 2 billion worth of bets, and the seizure of nearly USD 27 million in cash.